Molluscs associated with a Sardinian deep water population of Corallium rubrum (Linnι, 1758)


F. CROCETTA
M. SPANU
Abstract
Molluscan species living in association with Corallium rubrumcolonies are poorly known. Specimens
found on the branches of red coral colonies located off Capo Caccia (Alghero – SS, West Sardinia,
Mediterranean Sea) were studied by analyzing red coral branches collected at a depth of between 100 and
120 m; their assemblage was made up of 44 species, all belonging to the classes Gastropoda and Bivalvia.
Some data on the geographical distribution, ecology, taxonomy and dominance of these species, both
alive and dead, are given and the most interesting are commented on. Among the recorded species Trivia
multilirata, Simnia purpurea, Coralliophila brevis, Ocinebrina paddeui, Pleurotomella demosia, Palliolum
striatum
and Pseudamussium sulcatum deserve attention. Moreover, the second finding of living
specimens of Asperarca secreta, described only on loose valves, is reported, and finally the prey-predator
relationships among several gastropods and Cnidarians are confirmed.
Article Details
  • Sezione
  • Research Article
Downloads
I dati di download non sono ancora disponibili.
Puoi leggere altri articoli dello stesso autore/i